‘Welcome back world!’: Australia fully reopens borders after two years

Sydney: Australia on Monday fully reopened its international borders to travelers vaccinated against the coronavirus after nearly two years of pandemic-related closure as hundreds of people reunited with family and friends.

More than 50 international flights will arrive in the country during the day, including 27 touching off Sydney, its largest city, as the tourism and hospitality sectors seek to rebuild after being hit by COVID-19 restrictions.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters in the island state, “It’s a very exciting day that I’ve been waiting for a long time, from the day I first closed that border at the start of the pandemic.” Tasmania, which relies heavily on tourism.

After months of being away from their loved ones, several emotional reunions took place, including Cindy Moss, who traveled from the US state of Kentucky to see her daughter. “I haven’t seen her in such a long time and being able to reach here was a big deal. So, I’m so excited,” she said after hugging her daughter. said.

Tourism is one of Australia’s largest industries, worth more than $60 billion ($43 billion) and employing about 5% of the country’s workforce. But the region was paralyzed after the country closed its borders in March 2020.

Ever the champion of the COVID-suppression strategy, Australia broke away from its fortress-style containment and relentless lockdown since late last year and started living with the virus after reaching high vaccination levels. Skilled expatriates, international students and backpackers have been allowed to fly in Australia since November in the process of reopening.

“IT`SA PARTY OUT HERE”

“Welcome back world!” from passengers flying to Sydney was greeted with air. Pictured on a sign near the runway, people in kangaroo costumes welcomed passengers and a DJ played music from a van with a banner that said, “You were worth the wait”.

“It’s a party here, music is playing, people have smiles on their faces, they’ll be dancing soon, I’m sure,” Tourism Minister Dan Tehan told broadcaster ABC from Sydney airport. The iconic Australian food spread, and stuffed koala toys.

Tehan said he was hopeful for a “very strong” rebound in the tourism market, with Qantas expecting to fly more than 14,000 passengers to Australia this week. Virgin Australia said it is seeing positive trends in domestic bookings and continues to assess demand for international flights.

Meanwhile, all trains in Sydney were canceled on Monday following a wage dispute between the union and state government, again sparking some sparkle.

As borders fully reopen, Australia’s Omicron coronavirus version of the outbreak has been falling steadily with hospitalizations over the past three weeks. Australia’s total of about 2.7 million confirmed cases of the pandemic have been detected since Omicron emerged in late November. The total deaths stood at 4,929.

As of Monday afternoon, the northern region had recorded just over 17,000 new cases and 17 deaths, as reports came later.

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